Transformative Encounters: God's Call to Action
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. It's wonderful to see you all here, whether in person, online, or at the women's prison. Today, I want to share my heart about Gettysburg, honor it, and discuss the vision God has for this new campus launching in four months. I believe God has called us here and is paving the way for powerful work.
I began by sharing the story of Mike, a man who fell into darkness and despair after a life-altering injury. His story mirrors the man in Mark 5, who was tormented by unclean spirits and lived in isolation and pain. Both stories highlight the transformative power of Jesus, who meets us in our darkest moments and brings us into the light.
In Mark 5, Jesus encounters a man possessed by a legion of demons. Despite the man's dire situation, Jesus arrives at the perfect moment to heal him. This story teaches us that God prepares the way for us to reach those in despair. Just as Jesus' journey was divinely timed, so too are our efforts to reach the lost and hurting.
Mike's transformation began when his daughter invited him to church, where he encountered a message that spoke directly to his heart. This wasn't a coincidence; it was God's preparation. Similarly, God has been preparing the way for our work in Gettysburg. From finding the perfect building to encountering people who affirm our mission, it's clear that God is at work.
However, God's preparation doesn't mean we can sit back and do nothing. We must move from worship to witness, sharing our stories and bringing our "boats"—our skills, resources, and time—to support this mission. Just as the man in Mark 5 was told to go and tell others about his healing, we too are called to share the good news and support the work in Gettysburg.
In conclusion, I ask you to consider what "boat" you can bring to this mission. Whether it's serving once a month, joining a ministry team, or supporting us in prayer, your contribution is vital. Let's commit to seeing God's transformative power at work in Gettysburg, just as it has been in our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Prepares the Way: Just as Jesus arrived at the perfect moment to heal the man in Mark 5, God prepares the way for us to reach those in despair. Our efforts to reach the lost are divinely timed and orchestrated. [46:18]
2. Transformation Through Encounter: Both Mike and the man in Mark 5 experienced profound transformation through their encounters with Jesus. This highlights the power of divine intervention in our darkest moments, bringing us from despair to hope. [48:51]
3. Move from Worship to Witness: We are called not just to worship but to witness. Sharing our stories and actively participating in God's mission is crucial. This shift from passive worship to active witness is essential for reaching the lost. [01:00:55]
4. Bring Your Boat: Each of us has unique skills and resources that God can use. Whether it's serving in a ministry, supporting financially, or offering our time, bringing our "boat" is essential for the mission. [01:05:17]
5. God's Power in Community: The transformation in Mike's life and the man in Mark 5 shows that God's power is not just for individual change but for community impact. When we share our stories and support each other, we create a ripple effect of transformation. [01:02:43]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[38:50] - Introduction to Gettysburg Vision
[39:24] - Mike's Story of Despair
[41:42] - Mark 5: The Man with an Unclean Spirit
[44:13] - Jesus' Perfect Timing
[46:18] - God Prepares the Way
[48:51] - Mike's Transformation
[50:16] - Finding the Building in Gettysburg
[52:28] - Jesus Heals the Man
[55:01] - The Power of Jesus
[57:48] - God Powerfully Does the Work
[59:47] - Moving from Worship to Witness
[01:02:43] - Mike's Continued Witness
[01:05:17] - Bringing Your Boat
[01:09:19] - Call to Action
[01:11:39] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Mark 5:1-20
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the condition of the man Jesus encountered in Mark 5 before his healing? Describe his physical and emotional state. ([42:11])
2. How did Jesus' arrival and timing play a crucial role in the healing of the man in Mark 5? ([44:13])
3. What was the reaction of the townspeople after witnessing the man's transformation and the drowning of the pigs? ([53:57])
4. How did Mike's life begin to change after his daughter invited him to church? ([47:53])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the story of the man in Mark 5 teach us about God's timing and preparation in reaching those in despair? ([46:18])
2. How does the transformation of the man in Mark 5 and Mike's story illustrate the power of divine intervention in our darkest moments? ([48:51])
3. Why does Jesus instruct the healed man to go and tell others about his healing instead of allowing him to stay and worship? What does this imply about our role as witnesses? ([01:00:22])
4. In what ways can the concept of "bringing your boat" be applied to our personal lives and community involvement? ([01:05:17])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were in a dark place. How did you experience God's intervention, and how did it change your situation? ([46:48])
2. Mike's transformation began with a simple invitation to church. Is there someone in your life who might benefit from a similar invitation? How can you reach out to them this week? ([47:53])
3. Jesus called the healed man to witness to others about his transformation. What is one specific way you can share your faith story with someone this month? ([01:00:55])
4. The sermon emphasized moving from worship to witness. What are some practical steps you can take to actively participate in God's mission in your community? ([01:01:35])
5. Consider the unique skills and resources you have. How can you "bring your boat" to support the mission in Gettysburg or your local church? ([01:05:17])
6. The townspeople were afraid of Jesus' power and asked Him to leave. Are there areas in your life where you might be resisting God's transformative power? How can you open yourself up to His work? ([53:57])
7. Mike's story shows the ripple effect of transformation in a community. How can you support and encourage others in their faith journey to create a similar impact? ([01:02:43])
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Perfect Timing
God prepares the way for us to reach those in despair, just as Jesus arrived at the perfect moment to heal the man in Mark 5. Our efforts to reach the lost are divinely timed and orchestrated. This means that even when we feel uncertain or unprepared, God has already set the stage for us to make an impact. We are called to trust in His timing and be ready to act when He calls us to serve.
In Mark 5, Jesus encounters a man possessed by a legion of demons. Despite the man's dire situation, Jesus arrives at the perfect moment to heal him. This story teaches us that God prepares the way for us to reach those in despair. Just as Jesus' journey was divinely timed, so too are our efforts to reach the lost and hurting. We must be attentive to God's timing and be willing to step out in faith, knowing that He has already prepared the way for us. [46:18]
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt prompted to help someone but hesitated. How can you be more attentive to God's timing and ready to act when He calls you to serve?
Day 2: Transformation Through Encounter
Both Mike and the man in Mark 5 experienced profound transformation through their encounters with Jesus. This highlights the power of divine intervention in our darkest moments, bringing us from despair to hope. When we encounter Jesus, our lives are changed in ways we could never imagine, and we are given a new purpose and direction.
Mike's transformation began when his daughter invited him to church, where he encountered a message that spoke directly to his heart. This wasn't a coincidence; it was God's preparation. Similarly, the man in Mark 5 was healed by Jesus at the perfect moment. These stories remind us that no matter how dark our circumstances may seem, an encounter with Jesus can bring about profound change and new hope. We are called to seek out these encounters and to be open to the transformative power of Jesus in our lives. [48:51]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: Reflect on a moment when you experienced a significant change after encountering Jesus. How can you share this story with someone who might be in need of hope today?
Day 3: Move from Worship to Witness
We are called not just to worship but to witness. Sharing our stories and actively participating in God's mission is crucial. This shift from passive worship to active witness is essential for reaching the lost. Our faith is not meant to be kept to ourselves but shared with others, so they too can experience the transformative power of Jesus.
In Mark 5, after Jesus healed the man possessed by demons, He told him to go and tell others about his healing. This command to witness is also given to us. We are called to move from worship to witness, sharing our stories and actively participating in God's mission. This means stepping out of our comfort zones and being willing to share our faith with others, knowing that our testimonies can bring hope and healing to those who are lost and hurting. [01:00:55]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to hear about Jesus. How can you share your story with them this week in a way that is genuine and impactful?
Day 4: Bring Your Boat
Each of us has unique skills and resources that God can use. Whether it's serving in a ministry, supporting financially, or offering our time, bringing our "boat" is essential for the mission. We are all called to contribute in different ways, and our collective efforts can make a significant impact.
In the story of Mike and the man in Mark 5, we see how individual contributions can lead to profound transformation. Mike's daughter brought him to church, and the man in Mark 5 was told to share his story. Similarly, we are called to bring our "boats"—our skills, resources, and time—to support God's mission. This means identifying what we have to offer and being willing to use it for God's glory. Whether it's serving once a month, joining a ministry team, or supporting financially, our contributions are vital for the mission. [01:05:17]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: What unique skills or resources do you have that you can offer to support God's mission? How can you start using them this week to make a difference in your community?
Day 5: God’s Power in Community
The transformation in Mike's life and the man in Mark 5 shows that God's power is not just for individual change but for community impact. When we share our stories and support each other, we create a ripple effect of transformation. Our faith is meant to be lived out in community, where we can encourage and uplift one another.
Mike's story and the healing of the man in Mark 5 demonstrate the power of community in bringing about transformation. When we share our stories and support each other, we create a ripple effect that extends beyond our individual lives. God's power is not just for personal change but for community impact. We are called to be a part of a community that supports and uplifts one another, creating an environment where God's transformative power can be experienced by all. [01:02:43]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you actively support and encourage someone in your community this week? What steps can you take to create a ripple effect of transformation in your church or neighborhood?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "In order to know the glory and the goodness of God's transforming power, we kind of need to see the devastation of the darkness first. The light is only made more powerful in the dark. So when we take a step back and look at that darkness, we can see even more powerfully how God's light shines through." [39:24] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "This story teaches us something important. It teaches us that when we try to reach the one, God prepares the way. When we are trying to reach the one, God prepares the way. For this man, in spite of everything he's been through, Jesus was there at just the right moment, in just the right place, for this man to see him." [46:18] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God powerfully does the work of reaching the one. We can trust that he's powerfully going to do the exact same thing in Gettysburg. He's prepared the way. He's made it so people's points in their lives are just ripe to encounter Jesus in a powerful way. He's provided us with a building in just the right spot to change people's lives." [58:26] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When it comes to reaching the one, we need to bring the boat. You see, in Mike's life, after he was encountered by Jesus, after things powerfully changed, he took what was in front of him and he gave it to God. He took his lifelong friend who was struggling and he gave it to God. He brought the boat." [01:05:17] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God has paved the way. God's going to powerfully do the work. Now we just need to bring the boat, bring whatever he's placed in front of us. Because I know looking around this room and thinking of people who are watching online, that God is going to powerfully do the work. He's given each and every one of us our own boat, our own skill, and when we bring it all together, God will pave the way and prepare the way for powerful things to be done." [01:07:05] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "This man, at this point in his life, has no reason to keep going forward. He has no reason to keep going forward. It's the darkest moment you can imagine in your life, times 10 or times 20. He's completely isolated, completely alone, in emotional pain and physical pain, just like the story of Mike we talked about earlier. But then something happens. Then it just so happens, coincidentally, that Jesus shows up." [44:13] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When Mike walked into that church service, it was a series called 'Shame Off You,' and it was speaking about how God doesn't want us to stay in our shame, to stay in our guilt, but calls us to something more. At the end of that sermon, Mike looks at his daughter and says, 'Did you tell the pastor what to preach on today?' Can you imagine? You see, God prepared the way in that pastor's sermon who had never met this man, never knew this man was going to come to church that Sunday. God prepared the way for Mike to hear the gospel in a way that profoundly impacted his life." [48:22] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When we are reaching the one, God powerfully does the work. There's nothing that can keep God back. There's nothing that can hold him back from doing the work of reaching the one. I mean, even in Mike's life, we saw everything fall away. His alcoholism, broken. His despair, depression, gone. His life, broken. His life, completely transformed. His family could tell the difference right away. He went from someone who was angry, full of angst and self-hate, someone who couldn't help but lash out in pain, to someone who was full of love, someone who was transformed, someone who actually prayed for his children." [57:48] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We need to move from worship to witness. There's so much more to the story of Jesus' life that Jesus has called us to than the feel-good feelings when we have a worship team on stage. We need to move from worship into witness in order to see God reach the one. We get the opportunity to be a powerful part of this. We get an opportunity to see everyone marvel at the powerful work that God does here in Pierre and in Gettysburg." [01:00:55] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Mike was not stuck in a Sunday morning worship cycle. He went immediately to witnessing. He didn't let his fire and his passionate faith for Jesus just fade into an ember. He immediately went and shared it with others. And we have the opportunity to do the exact same thing. See, Mike is actually going to school to become a credentialed pastor. Isn't that powerful? And don't we want to see God's powerful work do the exact same in our lives?" [01:03:18] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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